alwayswaiting1

There is a 7-11 across the street from the Sheraton. It's like a little grocery store. I found it very convenient. The travel pillow is a must have for any HT surgery.

It is interesting. There was post a couple weeks ago about Dr. Rahal working with Dr. Feller on a fue case.

When these top docs work on or with each other I feel like I'm reading the old GI Joe vs the Transformers or Batman vs Superman comics...I know its stupid........

Dr. Lindsey, I was wondering, did he pay his tab or did the military cover some it (via tricare)?

Amazing transformation. Was wondering when you started to growth and when did it actually explode?

I don't see the need for additional work, maybe some pics of what your concerned about.

It is a DRAMATIC difference from where he started.

I'm curious as to how you handle a patient like this. Are you actually offering to do 1500 units for a reduced price or even free? I agree with the future doc, below average results are easily noticed, but this guys results are quite remarkable.

Thats a HIPPA violation Than...sue 'em!!

ok.......

I was a lazy sack for the first three weeks and then finally started working out. I gained about 7 lbs. and lost all "tightness" in the midsection.

To get back in shape quicker I figured I'd try some supplements. I bought these Nitric Oxide products and got to thinking. These products are vasodilators. Smoking/nicotine are vasoconstrictors. I know there have been numerous discussions on smoking and if it cuts of the O2 supply to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the scalp/follicles.

Do you guys think these Nitric Oxide products could have the opposite effect? Maybe even speed up growth?

Hey guys,

Just posted pics from the first week on my blog. Everything is progressing normally. I'd say 95% of the transplanted hairs have shed....I've definitely entered the ugly duckling stage. Pretty barren on top....here we go again!

It's been two weeks since my procedure. I use vitamin E oil to combat the dry scalp that is common after surgery. Every time I apply it many many baby hairs come out. They are each in single units.

Maybe its a European thing....

Looks good buddy. Your on your way.

You were ready for basic training in your pre-op pics!

Your post-op pics looked painful...

I'm glad your sides grew back in for you.

Hopefully....the pain dulls daily. I've just been a baby about playing with these scabs. It's the morning of the eighth day for me so I may be a little more aggressive with the shampoo today, but then again i'll probably wait til tomorrow morning!

Wow...great job doc, this guy looks like a new man.

All doctors treat all patients with the assumption that something could be transferred. All physicians, dentists, or who ever deals with patients fluids must adhere to infection control standards set forth by OSHA requirements. This means gloves, masks, and eye protection. If aerosols or splattering is produced, smocks and head covers are also required.

You cannot turn patients down for having a disease. The only defense this physician has is that a HT would not be recommended for this patient for "x" reason.

Looks fantabulous. This dude must be thrilled.

RG you must be so thrilled with the transformation to date. Just a question, how much did your scalp reduction set you back? I haven't seen any other cases involving that, and it is very interesting. Especially the result and lack of scar. It's too bad the grafts associated with the plugs could not be salvaged for replantation.

Also, I'm just curious as to the difference in density from your first four month picture to the 12 month result. It just seems everything grew in very nicely except for the one strip left of center. Just wondering if you got sun burn or if anything substantial could have caused that.

Your post op pics from round two look great, all the best.

About 14 months after my first "large" session I made the easy decision to have my second restorative surgery with Dr. Jerry Wong. The online consult pics were sent and Dr. Wong made a rough estimate of 3000 grafts. He stated I would probably have below average laxity and density due to prior work. I began doing the scalp exercises, but I was pretty sure my scalp was pretty lax.

A couple days before the surgery I cut my hair with a number 8 clip to see what I looked like. Besides the bad haircut, I was very surprised to see that, although thin, I looked much better than before my first surgery.

When the day finally arrived Dr. Wong was very happy with my laxity and said "we're good to go." I was getting very happy. We took pre-op pics and then shaved my scalp down. He then wanted to get a better look at the donor site and the old scar. This was when I got a little discouraged with my past work. Dr. Wong is a perfectionist and did not like the scar. The pics show why. At my first experience at Bosely, only the left side was cut. This was also the only scar I had really ever noticed over the last year. However, the right side had also developed a large scar, and I'm not sure if that is really what a "trich" closure is supposed to look like.

Anyway, Dr. Wong didn't like it. So the overall graft count took a potentially large hit. The scars on the left and right sides of my head accounted for half the size of the strips removed from those areas. The back of my head probably saved the overall graft count for this procedure. We ended up with a respectable 3393 grafts, and hopefully a non existent scar. These staples............I don't even have to go into them with this experienced crowd. I'll be happily taking them out on Tuesday, 12 days after the procedure.

The procedure went very smoothly. The customer service at H and W is unparalleled. My surgery lasted till around 930 pm, which is still daylight in beautiful Vancouver. The ladies and I were both tired. They kept me full with huge burgers, entertained with movies/conversation, and relaxed with pillows/blankets/ and valium!

With the amount of hair I had coming into the procedure coupled with the strategic placement of 3393 grafts by Dr. Wong, I am hoping for a nice cosmetic improvement.

Well, back to the doldrums and the monthly

updates.

I'm pretty sure if you've never tested positive before, they give you second one immediately after a positive test....unless your in the military.

And, of course, if you fail but have a prescription, your in the clear.

Unfortunately I don't think there is. You just have to pick one of the morally sound physicians that are recommended on this site.

Most drug tests are only for substances like:

THC: usually out of your system in 2 weeks depending if you are a habitual user or just every now and then. It also depends on your fat content as it tends to sit in fat cells

Cocaine: Is out of your system in 2 to 3 days. Thats why you get screwed if you test positive. They know you were recently on a bender.

These are usually what HT patients use post op:

Vicodin/percocet (any opioid drug) is also tested for. Ambien is also a controlled substance as is any anti-anxiety (xanax), or valium. These are probably the only ones hair transplant patients have to worry about. These should all be out of your system by the time you recover and get back to work.

The following are usually overlooked:

Finasteride (also used to treat enlarged prostates)

Ultram- this is also a strong pain killer that acts on opioid receptors. However it has a different mechanism or structure than percocet or vicodin and is not tested for.

Muscle relaxers like Robaxin are also overlooked.

My thoughts exactly Leeson.

Kind of make me enjoy the hell that these staples are causing me!

Dude, your results are fantabulous so far. I'm so happy for you. Your updates are definitely something to look forward to.

Bill,

Does that mean it speeds the growth of native hair that have been shed from shock?

Your blog is the best case study on here. With the pictures of the strip it is a very easy way of educating people about the procedure.

Where did you get that work done?